Chapter 10 - VALENTINA'S HOSTAGE
Lorenzo’s face changed instantly.
“Let her go.”
Valentina looked exhausted.
Her perfect appearance was gone.
Her hair was tied back.
She wore jeans and a black coat.
But her eyes remained cold.
“You ruined everything.”
“You kidnapped my daughter.”
“She was supposed to become my daughter.”
Isabella looked at Lorenzo.
“Daddy.”
Valentina tightened her grip.
“Quiet.”
Lorenzo moved one step forward.
Valentina pulled a knife.
“Stop.”
He froze.
Outside the mill, Sophia watched through a small surveillance screen.
Detectives had placed a microphone inside Lorenzo’s jacket.
The tactical team waited for a clear opportunity.
Sophia’s hands shook.
Then she noticed something in the video.
Valentina kept looking toward an upper window.
Someone else was watching.
Sophia pointed.
“She’s not alone.”
The detective nodded.
“We know.”
“No.”
Sophia leaned closer.
“She’s afraid.”
The detective looked at her.
Sophia had seen Valentina arrogant, cruel, and violent.
This was different.
Valentina was scared.
Inside the mill, Lorenzo placed the fake key on the table.
“There.”
Valentina glanced toward the upper window again.
“Bring it closer.”
Lorenzo pushed the key forward.
Isabella suddenly stepped on Valentina’s foot.
Valentina reacted.
That instant was enough.
Lorenzo lunged.
He pulled Isabella away.
Police stormed the mill.
Valentina dropped the knife.
A gunshot came from above.
Everyone ducked.
The bullet struck a metal beam.
Officers ran upstairs.
Sophia entered after them.
She found Lorenzo shielding Isabella.
Valentina sat against the wall.
Blood trickled from a cut on her forehead.
For the first time, she looked defeated.
Then another gunshot echoed outside.
A black vehicle sped away.
Gabriel had escaped.
Police arrested Valentina.
While officers handcuffed her, Sophia approached.
“Why Lily?”
Valentina laughed bitterly.
“You still don’t understand.”
Sophia grabbed her arm.
“What did my daughter see?”
Valentina looked at her.
“She saw Gabriel’s face.”
Sophia’s stomach tightened.
Valentina leaned closer.
“And Gabriel never leaves witnesses.”
Police pulled her away.
Then Valentina shouted one final warning.
“He knows where you sleep.”
“He knows where she goes to school.”
“And he has people inside Lorenzo’s company.”
Sophia looked toward Lorenzo.
May you like
The conspiracy was not ending.
It was only becoming visible.
